Open Letter: DFO Announcement on New Aquaculture Licensing in BC

Press Releases

February 25, 2015

Honourable Gail Shea
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
200 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6
Via facsimile: 613-947-7081

OPEN LETTER: DFO ANNOUNCMENT ON NEW AQUACULTURE LICENSING IN BC

Dear Minister Shea,

We are writing in regards to your announcement of February 16, 2015 in which you revealed that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) will now move to implement multi-year licensing for aquaculture operators in British Columbia. With respect to this change of policy, your department has fallen far short of current case law and the current legal reality with respect to consent and consultation with BC First Nations. DFO’s consultation with the proper Title and Rights holders has been limited and inadequate and has not properly addressed the concerns of impacted First Nations.

These changes are particularly troubling as they will continue to put at risk the health and abundance of wild salmon that British Columbians and First Nations have relied upon for generations. To date there has been no meaningful response or implementation of Commissioner Cohen’s report or recommendations. The new citing criteria will only apply to new fish farms and not to farms which form the basis of the Cohen’s recommendations.

As you are aware, the UBCIC (as members of the FNLC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DFO which establishes our formal relationship to engage in dialogue on issues relating to fisheries and aquatic resources and commits us to work towards achieving concrete outcomes that are mutually beneficial and that support the aspirations of First Nations in BC. Our joint work under this MOU as agreed upon at our September 8th, 2014 meeting was to include a working group to discuss DFO’s approach to the Aquaculture Activities Regulations as well as the suite of regulations, policy and management regimes with respect to aquaculture on the west coast. To date, we have not had any discussions with DFO with respect to this current change in aquaculture licensing.

Wild salmon is integral to our cultures, communities and Nations and with DFO’s continued concentration towards the expansion of fish farms in BC, First Nations have been witness to the devastating impact fish farms have had on wild salmon. Multi-year licensing of aquaculture on the coast of BC will continue to expand and promote the aquaculture industry at the cost of healthy salmon stocks. DFO must prioritize the health, protection and conservation of wild salmon on the west coast and work towards implementing Commissioner Cohen’s recommendations immediately. The implementation of Cohen’s recommendation and DFO’s central mandate to protect and conserve wild salmon is imperative to ensure that healthy wild salmon is available and accessible to our future generations.

On behalf of the UNION OF BC INDIAN CHIEFS

[original signed]

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip Chief Robert Chamberlin Kukpi7 Judy Wilson
President Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer

CC: First Nations Fisheries Council
BC Assembly of First Nations
First Nations Summit

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